Awesome Abs with the Lumberjack

Though I have heard this exercise termed several different ways, what I will call the lumberjack (used either on a cabled machine, with dumbbells, or even a barbell) is a great workout for your core and will certainly help in your journey toward stronger abs.

Specifically targeting the obliques (depending on the direction of your motion), the lumberjack is a phenomenal workout for your total core. I try to use a cable machine as it seems to simplify the move, but a dumbbell, barbell, or even a weighted plate can work just as well. Standing or kneeling, grasp you weight with both hands and keeping your back strong and abs tensed, twist the weight across the front of you body then return to neutral. I’ll try to do ten reps in each direction so both sides of my body are receiving the same amount of work, and I’ll also adjust the angle at which I’m pulling the weight. For example, I think it’s important in a lumberjack to twist the weight from low to high and vice versa so you target the different muscles in your core. Sometimes I’ll even kneel on the ground to complete this exercise so as to stabilize my body and reduce extra movement that may minimize the workout.

Getting a good oblique workout can be pretty difficult, as can targeting the lower abs. But using the lumberjack in a variety of ways and locations can help with both problem areas. We all know how important the core is to get stronger, so you might try one form of the lumberjack exercise to reach those hard to reach places. Remember to let your abs do the work. Don’t cheat by pulling the weight with your arms or shoulders. Instead try to flex your whole core as you rotate so the right muscles get the work.

Trying new exercises to target your core is very important, changing your workout is essential, but your nutrition is imperative as well. Whether you’re looking to burn fat, rip your muscles, or just improve your general health, using a supplement these days is almost a given. Supplements like creatine and whey protein are essential for serious weight trainers, but a multivitamin or any of a number of fat burner supplements can be very beneficial if you want to see serious results.

Creatine and whey protein are muscle builders specifically. Creatine will help your muscles recover more quickly and provide the essential ingredients to build stronger muscle fibers. Whey protein is very similar to creatine, providing significant amounts of protein your muscles need to repair themselves after your workout. Whey protein will help you get stronger and bigger. Other muscle builders are also available for the same or similar results as creatine and whey protein, just experiment to see what works for you best. On top of strengthening supplements, anyone looking to improve their general health should be considering a multivitamin as a part of their daily nutrition. A multivitamin can provide dozens of important vitamins and minerals recommended for everybody’s general health.

If you’re looking for a great core workout, try an exercise akin to the lumberjack for increased resistance in your abdominal area. If you’re looking for great results, add a supplement to your diet (creatine, whey protein, multivitamins) and enjoy the increased strength as well as improved general health.

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